Stoosbahn

The Stoosbahn, also known as the Schwyz–Stoos funicular or Standseilbahn Schwyz–Stoos, is a funicular railway in the Swiss canton of Schwyz. It connects the Hintere Schlattli in the municipalities of Muotatal, Morschach, and Schwyz with the village and mountain resort of Stoos, above Morschach. On a length of 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi), it overcomes a height difference of 744 metres (2,441 ft). It opened on 15 December 2017 and replaces the older Schwyz-Stoos funicular, operating since 1933 on a different route. The carriages are barrel-shaped and rotate to maintain a level floor surface for passengers. Construction took five years and cost 52 million Swiss francs.[1][2][3]

Stoosbahn
View from Hinteres Schlattli base station
Overview
Other name(s)Stoos Funicular
Native nameStandseilbahn Schwyz - Stoos
Statusoperating daily
OwnerStoosbahnen AG
LocaleStoos
TerminiSchwyz Hinteres Schlattli
Stoos
Stations2
Websitestoos-muotatal.ch/train/stoosbahnen/
Service
TypeCommuter funiculair
Services1
Operator(s)Stoosbahnen
History
Commenced2012
OpenedDecember 15, 2017 (2017-12-15)
Completed2017
Technical
Line length1,740 metres (5,710 ft)
Number of tracks1
CharacterCommuter and touristic funicular
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Old gauge1,200 mm (3 ft 11 1⁄4 in)
the original line
Operating speed10 metres per second (33 ft/s)
Highest elevation1,306 metres (4,285 ft)
Maximum incline110% (47.73°)

The new line has a maximum gradient of 110% (47.7°) and is the steepest funicular railway in Switzerland and Europe, superseding the Gelmerbahn. It has been widely claimed to be the steepest in the world,[1][2] although the Katoomba Scenic Railway in Australia is steeper, with a maximum gradient of 122%, but uses a winch system[4] and is, therefore, an incline lift and not a funicular railway.[5]

References
  1. "Switzerland funicular: World's steepest railway opens". BBC News. 17 December 2017.
  2. Willsher, Kim (2017-12-15). "World's steepest funicular rail line to open in Switzerland". The Guardian. Retrieved 2017-12-16.
  3. "DSS - Drahtseilbahn Schwyz Stoos". Funimag. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  4. "Scenic World". Archived from the original on 2019-03-06.
  5. "Schwyz Stoos Funicular Set to Open in December". Gondola Project. 2017-08-31.
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